West Nile Virus in Wyoming... Again

by Michael Sevren, msevren@k2tv.com

With these
persistent hot temperatures mosquitoes are out in full force in many
areas across the state. Some of those mosquitoes are the culex tarsalis,
a species that is known to carry the deadly West Nile Virus. So far
only two Wyomingites have been sickened by the virus, but the risk is
far from over.

Just one week ago, the Wyoming Department of
Health confirmed the first case of West Nile Virus in human in Platte
county, and now a second case has been confirmed in Lander.

Emily
Thorp, a surveillance epidemiologist with the Wyoming Department of
Health told K2 news that the second victim is an adult female who
contracted West Nile fever. "There's two different categories of West
Nile virus infection in humans... there is West Nile fever and West Nile
neurological disease and that is actually the more severe form."

But
with confirmed West Nile Virus carrying mosquitoes all over the county
including Riverton and the reservation, all of Fremont county is in
danger.

Nancy Pieropan with Fremont county weed and pest has
been catching mosquitoes that have been tested positive for WNV. "We
found it in Riverton, Hudson, Lander, and the reservation."

Aside
from trapping mosquitoes, Fremont county weed and pest has been
spraying pesticides and larvicides for weeks, but officials can only do
so much.

"Fremont county is to big to have an effective
program." say's Nancy who has been with Fremont county weed and pest for
over twenty years. "The communities, the Municipalities.... they do
there best to control the mosquitoes. Even with a great control program
your still gonna have mosquitoes flying around, you can't kill
everyone!"

And while 80% of people who get WNV don't show any
symptoms. you can contract meningitis, a neurological diseases, and in
some cases the virus can kill you.

"If you get the meningitis
neurological diseases it can be life changing." Say's Pieropan. "It's
not anything to just say ahh it's flue like symptoms like everything
else....It can be a life changer and it can be life ender."

So how do you protect yourself? by fallowing the 5 D's is a sure fire prevention method that will help you stay safe.

The “5 D’s” of prevention include:1) Dawn and 2) Dusk – most mosquito species prefer to feed at dawn or dusk, so avoid spending time outside during these times.3) Dress – wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt outdoors
or when mosquitoes are most active. clothing should be light-colored
and made of tightly woven materials.4) Drain – mosquitoes breed in shallow, stagnant water. reduce the amount of standing water by draining and/or removing it.5) Deet – use an insect repellent containing deet. when using deet, be
sure to read and follow the label instructions. other insect repellents
such as picaridin (kbr 3023) or oil of lemon eucalyptus can also be
effective.

last year Wyoming had seven human West Nile cases
reported but with the large amount of virus carrying mosquitoes
appearing, health officials are expecting a lot more. If you think you
may have contracted West Nile Virus contact a medical professional as
soon as possible.